NT Cabinet reshuffled again after Scrymgour's resignation

The Northern Territory's newest ministers have been sworn in at Government House, just days after Chief Minister Paul Henderson reshuffled his ministry.

The latest swap around was caused by the shock resignation of the deputy chief minister, Marion Scrymgour.

Ms Scrymgour, the highest-ranking Aboriginal politician in Australia, stepped down because of illness and stress caused by the death of her father.

Ms Scrymgour will remain the Member for Arafura, but will no longer be in charge of any portfolio.

She told the media she could no longer continue the "hectic" pace of Cabinet and did not want to be a "weak link" in the Government.

"I cannot continue at the level that is required as a Minister and deal with my health issues," she said.

Ms Scrymgour held the crucial portfolio of Indigenous policy and up until last week was in charge of education. Her resignation left a big gap in the Henderson Cabinet.

Treasurer Delia Lawrie has now been chosen as the new Deputy Chief Minister and the member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy, has been promoted to the ministry with Transport and Corrections.

Alison Anderson has taken over Indigenous policy and relinquished the role of Minister for Central Australian to fellow centralian Karl Hampton.

Malarndirri McCarthy has not moved to the frontbench but has been given the role of helping Mr Henderson deal with the difficult Education portfolio.

The leader of the Northern Territory Opposition, Terry Mills, says Ms Scrymgour is stepping aside because the Government is in disarray.

"I wish Marion all the best but let's be frank - these matters could have been dealt with last week when there was a shock announcement by Paul Henderson to reshuffle his Cabinet, not on the eve of going into Parliament," he said.

"Clearly it's a Parliament in disarray."

Political future

Ms Scrymgour says she might run for re-election at the next territory election if she is fit enough.

Charles Darwin University professor and political observer David Carment says Ms Scrymgour may re-enter the political field once her health recovers.

"Before she became a senior minister she was prepared to make a number of very controversial statements," he said.

"She might well resume that role; she might feel that she has considerable freedom without ministerial responsibilities and that could be a cause of some embarrassment for the Government in the future."

Professor Carment says Ms Scrymgour's decision to stay on in the seat of Arafura may have saved Labor the government.

"She's going to continue in Parliament and there must have been a good deal of pressure, I suspect, on her to do that," he said.

"Because if there'd been a by-election for her seat, even though it's been held by Labor for quite a while, it may have come down to a very difficult by-election for the Government to win."

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